Synopsis
On January 31, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed home three Israelis released from captivity in Gaza, criticizing Hamas's handling of the situation while affirming Israel's commitment to safeguarding hostages.Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu welcomes three freed Israeli hostages.
- He criticizes Hamas for their release management.
- 110 Palestinian prisoners were also released.
- Eight additional hostages were freed during the same period.
- The situation in Gaza remains volatile.
Jerusalem, January 31 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has released a statement welcoming back three Israelis who were freed on Thursday from captivity in Gaza -- Agam Berger, Arbel Yehud, and Gadi Moses.
Netanyahu also voiced his disapproval of how Hamas managed their release.
"Agam, Arbel, Gadi -- welcome home," he stated.
"The entire State of Israel embraces you, as do my wife Sara and I."
"This release was made possible primarily due to our heroic soldiers, and it was also a result of the unwavering and resolute approach we took during negotiations," Netanyahu emphasized.
However, the Prime Minister also commented on the turmoil in Gaza that the released Israelis faced during their liberation, stating, "We will not tolerate breaches of the agreement. During the release of our hostages today, we all witnessed disturbing scenes. We made it clear to the mediators that we will not accept any risk to our hostages."
"And I will add: Whoever dares to harm our hostages - will pay the price."
The three Israeli hostages liberated in Gaza on Thursday were previously identified by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), which also confirmed the release of five Thai nationals.
"The list of names received from Hamas today by the mediators Qatar and Egypt includes: Arbel Yehoud (29 years old), Agam Berger (19), and Gadi Moses (80)," the Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also verified the identities of the five Thai nationals freed in Gaza earlier on Thursday: Pongsak Thanna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Saethao, and Surasak Lamnao.
Israeli authorities released 110 Palestinian prisoners on Thursday as part of the ceasefire and hostage agreement with Hamas. Among them were 32 sentenced to life imprisonment, 30 minors, and 48 prisoners serving lengthy sentences, according to Hamas.
All released prisoners were "moved from several detention facilities across the country to be integrated in the Ofer and Ketziot prisons" before their release, the Israel Prison Service stated on Thursday.
Additionally, eight hostages abducted by Hamas and other armed groups during the attacks on October 7, 2023, were also released in Gaza on Thursday.
